Expansible center seam envelope



Dec. 3, 1968 I F. L. YOUNG 3,414,185

EXPANSIBLE CENTER SEAM ENVELOPE Filed Jan. 16,1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fla. 3 I NVENTOR 1 FRANK L YOUNG fl ATTORNEY Dec. 3, 1968 F. L, YOUNG 3,414,185

EXPANSIBLE CENTER SEAM ENVELOPE Filed Jan. 16, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v I V/ INVEN. TOR

FRANK L. YOUNG d/% ATT R/VEY United States Patent 3,414,185 EXPANSIBLE CENTER SEAM ENVELOPE Frank L. Young, 401 Caranel Circle, Penn Valley, Pa. Filed Jan. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 698,202 7 Claims. (Cl. 229-75) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An expansible center seam envelope and method for making the same from a single paperboard blank in a continuous operation whereby all side and bottom gussets are interiorily folded and flattened at the completion of the regular procedure. In its completed form, the envelope is easily expanded into box-like configuration.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to an expansible center seam envelope which is adapted to be fabricated from a single paperboard blank on continuous folding and glueing machines. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for making a flatly formed gusseted envelope in a continuous operation during which all side and bottom gussets are folded interiorly at the completion of the steps of the procedure into flatly formed disposition preparatory to receiving contents. The envelope is all formed by bending the gusset panels inwardly, outwardly and then inwardly along the triple score lines with the glue applied during the operational steps. The present expansible envelope is especially adapted for shipping, storing, or mailing of merchandise and is easily converted from a flat envelope configuration to a box-like container.

Heretofore, the expansible gusset envelopes which were formed from a single blank required a separate individual hand operation to bend in the bottom gusset after the side gussets were inwardly formed during machine fabrication. That is, the procedures adopted in the past and the blanks employed required a separate step to bend in the bottom gusset by hand after the envelope was otherwise fully formed. The bottom gusset was not completed during the machine operation, but instead was fabricated as an outwardly extending V from the front and back panels of the envelope and required tucking in. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 2,899,874. This additional step of tucking in the V was a relatively expensive and time consuming operation.

It is, therefore, an object of this inventionto provide an expansible center seam envelope blank in which all side and bottom gussets are completely formed and inwardly tucked as part of the regular machine fabrication operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an expansible center seam envelope in which the corners are completely closed and sealed when all of the gussets have been previously tucked in during the machine folding operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a blank for an expansible envelope in which all gussets are completely formed interiorly by inwardly, outwardly and then inwardly folding the side and bottom folding panel sections along triple score lines.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method for fabricating an expansible envelope from a single blank in which all gusset sections are inwardly folded as part of the operation.

Other objects of this invention are to provide an improved device and method of the character described which is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy "ice in construction, and highly eflicient and effective in operation.

Brief description of figures With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists of the details and construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a paperboard blank from which an expansible gusset envelope embodying this invention is formed.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the blank in partly folded disposition with the side gussets being inwardly folded and the side panels being turned in overlying relationship so as to form the front panel of the envelope.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the partly folded envelope in flattened disposition with the marginal edges of the side panels being sealed in lapped over configuration.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the partly folded blank with the bottom gusset being inwardly folded and the bottom panel being lapped over the lower portion of the front panel.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the formed flattened envelope with bottom gusset turned interiorly and the bottom panel sealed in overlapping relationship with the front panel.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the completed envelope expanded into box-like configuration.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

Detailed description Referring now in greater detail to the drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown a single paperboard blank which is so shaped and scored as to provide, when folded and adhesively secured, an expansible gusset envelope that resembles an envelope in fiat condition but which is adapted to be expanded into a box-like configuration. As part of the method for making the instant envelope, the bottom gusset is fully inwardly formed at the completion of the fabrication steps as well as the side gussets. There is no necessity to bend in the bottom gusset by hand after the envelope is folded and adhesively sealed.

The blank can be fabricated from paperboard, kraft, manila or hemp and comprises a generally rectangular central panel 10 with a pair of side gusset panels 12 outwardly extending therefrom along longitudinal scores 13. A second pair of side gusset panels -14 are coupled to the first side gusset panels 12 along intermediate fold lines 15. Extending outwardly from the second side gusset panels 14 on longitudinal scores 17 are respective wing sections .16 and 18 which are adapted to overlap at their marginal edges when the blank is folded inwardly, outwardly and then inwardly again along the respective triple score lines 13, 1-5 and 17. A paste or gum is applied to the portion 19 so that when the overlapped edges of the wing sections 16 and 18 are pressed together, they are adhesively secured and form a center seam front panel 20 which overlies the central or back panel 10, as shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4.

A top closure 30 upwardly extends from the central panel 10 along transverse score lines 21 and includes a sealing flap 32 together with intermediate sections 34 and 36 disposed between transverse creases 33 and 35. Flaps 37 and 38 are formed as extensions of the side gusset panels 12 and 14 and the upper intermediate sections 34 and 36. These flaps act as interior membranes to shield the envelope contents from the elements.

Downwardly depending from the lower edge of the central panel is a bottom panel which includes a pair of bottom foldable gusset sections 42 and 44 as well as a sealing flap 46. The bottom gusset sections and the bottom panel are hinged together along triple transverse score lines 45, 47 and 49. A square notch 48 of the same dimensions as the width of a side gusset panel 12 or 14 is cut out of the bottom of wing sections immediately adjacent the side gusset panels 14. These notches 48 overlie the gusset panel sections 14 when folded and permit adhesively sealing tab portions downwardly depending from the side gusset panels 12.

Hinged to the lower edge of the gusset panels 12 and in alignment therewith along score line 45 is a flap 50 which is attached to the bottom gusset panel 42. Tab portions 52 extend downwardly from the flaps 50 in line with and also hinged to the bottom gusset portions 44. Finally, tail piece 54 are hinged to the tabs 52 on opposite sides of the bottom panel 40. As can be seen, the flaps 50 and the tabs 52 are each square sections intermediate the triple score lines 45, 47, and 49 and are sequentially dependent from and laterially coextensive with the side gusset panels 12.

A diagonal score 55 extends upwardly in the square section immediately above flap 50 from the intersection of the score lines 13 and 45. A diagonal score line 57 is formed in each of the square flaps 50 and downwardly extends from the intersection of the scores 13 and 45. Diagonal scores 59 are formed in the square tabs 52 parallel with the diagonal scores 55. Finally, a diagonal score 61 is formed in each of the tail pieces downwardly extending from the intersection of the score lines 13 and 49 and in parallel disposition with the scores 57.

The procedure for forming the expansible envelope of the instant invention becomes apparent from an observation of FIGURES 1 to 7 in ascending order. With the blank oriented as shown in FIGURE 1, it is folded by hand or in an envelope forming machine by movement parallel along the longitudinal fold lines 13, 15 and 17. After a seam of glue is laid down along the outer edge of wing section 18, the blank is folded inwardly on each side along score lines 13, then outwardly along score lines 15-15, and then inwardly again along score lines 1717. See FIGURES 2 and 3. If the operation is performed by machine, conventional folding rails would be utilized starting from the tail piece 54. In FIGURE 4, the wing portions 16 and 18 are folded down flat and sealed along seam 19 to define a front panel 20, overlying the back panel 10.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the partially folded envelope is now ready to seal in the bottom panel and movement of the blank, if done by machine, will be along a line parallel to the score lines 45, 47 and 49. In its movement parallel to the bottom gusset score lines 45, 47 and 49, triangular patches of glue 50a, 52a, 54a and 55a are laid upon the respective flap, tab, and tail piece portions and in the square sections now just below the notches 48. A layer of glue is laid down in a line between the sealing flap 46 and the areas 54b of the tail pieces. The top closure is also seamed with glue along area 32.

The bottom fiap is now folded inwardly along score line whereupon the glued triangular portions a and a will be folded down into overlying relationship as shown in FIGURE 5. The bottom gusset sections 42 and 44 will then be folded outwardly along score line 47 and then inwardly again on score line 49 so that the triangular glued portions 52a and 54a will be folded down into overlying disposition. The glued portions 54b will be sealed against the square portions 14a exposed through the notches 48, and the bottom panel 40 will have the entire sealing flap 46 adhered to the corresponding area of the now formed front panel 20. Note especially that the bottom gusset portions 42 and 44 are already interiorly folded into overlying disposition with each other in the same manner as the side gusset sections 12 and 14, all as clearly set forth in FIGURES 6 and 7.

The upper closure 30 is not folded nor sealed during the fabrication operation, and does not for-m a basic part of the instant invention. However, the membranes 37 and 38 are folded in the manner shown in FIGURE 4, and their utility is more clearly demonstrated in my prior US. Patent No. 3,144,979.

When the flat envelope shown in FIGURE 6 is to be expanded to form the box-like container of FIGURES 8 and 9, the front panel 20 is moved outwardly away from the back panel 10. The gusset sections 12 and 14 hinge outwardly along lines 13, 14 and 15, respectively, to form side walls of the container. The already inwardly formed bottom gussets 42 and 44 are urged into a common plane as they pivot about the score lines 45, 47 and 49. During this expansion, the triangular portions on the opposite sides of the diagonal folds 55, 57, 59 and 61 from the glued triangular portions 55a, 50a, 52a and 54a break into triangular gussets to fill the corners of the box. At the same time, the bottom corners remain c0mpletely sealed to prevent the contents of the envelope from leaking out in either flat disposition of the container or in box-like disposition.

However, as has been previously set forth, the significant advancements provided by the instant invention are in the configuration of the blank and in the manner of inwardly, then outwardly and finally inwardly folding the bottom gusset sections along the triple fold lines which permits the bottom gussets to be interiorly folded during the operational steps of fabricating the expansible envelope.

What is claimed is:

1. An expansible envelope comprising: a one-piece blank including a substantially rectangular back panel, a wing laterally connected to each side of said back panel by interior and exterior side gussets defined by longitudinally extending triple score lines, a bottom panel depending from said back panel by interior and exterior bottom gussets defined by transversely extending triple score lines, a tab laterally extending from each side of said interior bottom gusset and hinged to said interior side gussets on the first of said transversely extending triple score lines, a flap laterally extending from said side of said exterior bottom gussets and hinged to said tabs on the second of said transversely extending triple score lines, and a tail piece laterally extending from each side of said bottom panel and hinged to said flaps on the third of said transversely extending triple score lines, a rectangular notch in the lower portion of each of said wings, said wings being inwardly, outwardly and then inwardly folded along the longitudinally extending triple score lines to form inwardly folded side gussets and being sealed along lapped over outboard margins to define a front panel overlying said back panel, said bottom panel being inwardly, outwardly and then inwardly folded along the transverse triple score lines, portions of said tabs and flaps being adhered together and portions of said flaps and tail pieces being adhered together, other portions of said tail pieces being adhered to corresponding portions of said exterior side gussets exposed through said notches and the lower marginal edge of said bottom panel being adhered to said front panel.

2. The expansible envelope of claim 1 wherein each of said tabs and flaps constitutes equal square sections.

3. The expansible envelope of claim 2 including divergent diagonal scores in adjacent tabs and flaps intersecting with the second of said transverse triple score lines.

4. The expansible envelope of claim 3 including a diagonal score in each of the side interior gussets intersecting the first of said transversely extending triple scores and the diagonal score in each of said tabs to define a triangular portion equal to and adapted to overlie a corresponding triangular area in said tabs, and a diagonal score in each of the tail pieces intersecting the third of said transverse triple score lines and the diagonal score 5 in each of said flaps to define a triangular zone equal to and adapted to overlie a corresponding triangular region in said flaps, and adhesive applied to said triangular portions, areas, zones and regions.

5. The expansible envelope of claim 4 wherein said rectangular notch is square in configuration.

6. The expansible envelope of claim 5 including a top closure flap coupled to the upper portion of said rectangular back panel along transversely extending triple score lines.

7. The expansible envelope of claim 6 including membrane closure portions hinged to the upper portion of each of said interior and exterior side gussets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner. 

